Digital Final Draft - Save the Children
                     DIGITAL LITERACY
Handbook
INTRODUCTION
In an ever-increasing digital age, education, 
entertainment and experiences have moved online 
at breakneck speed. Over the past decade, while 
digital spaces have ensured enhanced connection 
for all populations, it has also exposed children and 
adults alike to new-age and hidden threats.
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS UNDER 18 ACCOUNT 
FOR AN ESTIMATED ONE IN THREE INTERNET USERS 
AROUND THE WORLD.
SOURCE: https://www.unicef.org/media/48601/file
This is the at-risk and most vulnerable group to cyber 
dangers especially in the absence of adequate awareness 
around cyber safety and digital rights as well as tools to 
address or deal with experiences of cyber threats.
Children are the future building blocks of tomorrow. It is 
imperative for children, caregivers and duty-bearers to 
come together to address these concerns and ensure a safe 
cyber experience for children online through awareness 
generation, advocacy and capacity building.
Caregivers are seen as compassionate allies in an attempt 
to foster better experiences for children online. In addition 
to this, young adults a.k.a Gen-Z Netizens can also 
become torch bearers and agents of change to pave the 
way for a safer internet for children. 
1
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES
CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS FACE?
Lack of awareness 
around cyber policies 
and frameworks 1
2 Widening generation & technological gap
Lack of digital literacy 
within schools and 
homes 3
Social-emotional 
4 isolation between parents and children.
Feeling alone and 
isolated while navigating 
cyber challenges 5
Internet illiteracy is a 
6 major drawback for parents in rural areas.
2
MAJOR CYBER
THREATS REPORTED
FINANCIAL FRAUD *PHISHING AND
AND SCAMS FAKE CONTENT
CYBERBULLYING
MORPHING AND
AND
GROOMING
HATE SPEECH
IDENTITY THEFT SMARTPHONE
AND DOXING* ADDICTIONS
*DOXING: Cyber security company Kaspersky defines doxing as the act of revealing 
identifying information about someone online, such as their real name, home address, 
workplace, phone, financial, and other personal information. That information is then 
circulated to the public — without the victim's permission.
*PHISHING: According to software company Imperva, Phishing is a type of social engineering 
attack often used to steal user data, including login credentials and credit card numbers. The 
attacker usually masquerades as a trusted entity.
3
HOW CAN CAREGIVERS ALLY UP
FOR SAFE INTERNET FOR CHILDREN?
Encouraging preventive and 
responsive digital behaviour 
Having dedicated timings for 
Smartphone use at home
Non-controlling and 
non-judgemental caregiving 
Setting rules and guidelines but 
not become controlling. 
Leading by example and following 
digital guidelines themselves.
4
HOW NETIZENS CAN INSPIRE
COLLECTIVE ACTION
Speak to adults and
Lead by example and younger children at
take care of their home and in schools
digital well-being
Become the Provide
bridge information
between and
children and assistance
caregivers 
E-BOOK
Speak freely
and share
experiences 
5
EXPERT
THOUGHTS
“The reason why 
cybercrimes keep on 
increasing is because 
nobody wants to 
report them to the 
“Children learn better competent authorities.”
through observation. You 
need to understand 
their mindset. If you Sriram,
don’t understand their Cyber Expert
mindset and try to 
exercise control over 
them, then the “The three important 
communication gap factors required to 
between the parent and bring about necessary 
the child widens”. change are: parents, 
schools and teachers 
Sriram, and students 
Cyber Expert themselves.”
Onkar Gandhe, 
Cyber Expert
6
“We feel safe using 
the internet because 
we only watch useful 
content. We don’t “I fear answering 
watch unwanted unknown numbers 
content online.” because they might 
trace my phone.”
PRUDHVI, 11 YEARS 
Student of PUMS, Vengathur
KALYAN, 12 YEARS
Student of PUMS, Kilnallathur
“Getting lots of 
unwanted links, and 
unknowingly clicking 
on it makes me feel “Cell Phone addiction 
unsafe on the internet.” is a huge issue. 
Children bring them 
to schools & inside 
classes.” 
MEENAKSHI, 10 YEARS
Student of PUMS, Kilnallathur
SHANTI, 41 YEARS
Teacher at GHS, Kilambakkam
7
TIPS FOR CHILDREN
AND CAREGIVERS
Don't share private information
Fact Check before sharing sensitive information 
Seek consent when using other devices
Check privacy settings on mobile, apps and browsers
Don’t download fishy links or games
Don’t connect to an unknown or unrecognised
wireless access point.
Use known Wi-Fi links, which are password protected. 
Disable Bluetooth when not in use 
Regularly update software and operating systems
Keep computer/mobile cameras covered when
not in use as they are prone to hacking
Install anti-virus software and ensure that
it's updated from time to time.
Take screen breaks often 
8
WHEN FACING CYBER
CHALLENGES OR THREATS
BE EMPATHETIC ONLINE
DON’T WORRY
OR STRESS 
KNOW YOU'RE
NOT ALONE
ASK YOUR
TEACHERS
TALK TO YOUR
PARENTS / CHILDREN
DON’T BE SHY SEEK HELP FROM SENIORS /
TO SHARE PROFESSIONALS OR OTHER NETIZENS
9
CHANNELS OF REPORTING
WARNING!
Attention Please
NATIONAL CYBER CRIME REPORTING PORTAL
This portal is an initiative of the Government of India to 
facilitate victims of cyber crime with reporting complaints. It 
places special focus on cyber crimes against women and 
children. To report cyber crimes, visit
(https://cybercrime.gov.in/)
10
NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS
Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) e-Box is 
an online complaint box for reporting child sexual abuse. It is 
an initiative of the National Commission for Protection of 
Child Rights (NCPCR) to help children report such crimes 
directly to the Commission.
(https://ncpcr.gov.in/index2.php)
CHILDLINE 1098
India’s first 24-HOUR,
free, emergency phone service for children in need of aid 
and assistance. They not only respond to the emergency 
needs of children but also link them to relevant services for 
their long-term care and rehabilitation.
11
KNOW YOUR
LAWS AND DIGITAL RIGHTS 
There are many legal frameworks in place for ensuring cyber safety. To 
inspire real progress, it is important to report cyber crimes and address 
the issues on the frontlines in a collaborative approach that involves 
caregivers and duty bearers.
INDIAN PENAL CODE is the main criminal 
code for the country. Section 378 of the LEGAL 
IPC relating to "theft" of movable property FRAMEWORKS 
will apply to the theft of any data, online 
or otherwise. FOR CYBER 
SAFETY OF 
INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY (IT) ACT 
provides legal recognition to the CHILDREN
transaction done via electronic exchange 
of data and other electronic means of 
communication. Sections 43 and 66 of 
the IT Act penalize a number of activities: 
hacking into a computer network, data 
theft, denying an authorized personnel 
access to a computer.
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(POCSO) PROTECTION OF CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT seeks 
to provide stringent punishment to those engaging in sexual 
crimes against children.
THE JUVENILE JUSTICE ACT pertains to provisions for children found 
in conflict with the law in India. It also gives provisions for 
children in need of care and protection.
THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS 
provides speedy trial of offenses against children or of violation 
of child rights and for matters connected therewith or incidental 
thereto. https://www.ncpcr.gov.in/ 
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in Collaboration with
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